Siskiyou Sensation: Emily Andrus making her mark in Miner sports

Friday

May 17, 2013 at 9:34 AMMay 17, 2013 at 9:55 AM

Tanner Horton for the Daily News

Emily Andrus is a Yreka High senior that has left her mark in the Northern Athletic League for track and field this season. Last Friday, Andrus took first in both triple jump and high jump in the NAL championships held in Yreka. Both the varsity girls and boys teams won convincingly. Andrus is set to compete in the Division 2 finals in Wheatland today. Currently, she is ranked second in the division for triple jump and first for high jump. Andrus also has made her mark in volleyball. She was a key component in the team winning the NAL title and making it all the way to the section title game in their division last fall. She was named the MVP of the NAL. Andrus led the league in kills and blocks. It was the first time since 1989 that a Miner volleyball player had received this honor.Emily's parents are Jon and Amy Andrus, who are both involved in YHS sports. Mr. Andrus was the head freshman volleyball coach this year, while Mrs. Andrus volunteers her time assisting the boys tennis team. Emily's two siblings, Ryan and Sara, also compete in several sports. Emily is thankful that she has such a close family who enjoys sports. "Having a family that is so involved is really fun," she said. "We support each other and watch each other improve."

Full name: Emily Nicole AndrusSports you play: Volleyball and trackHow you do you feel your senior season of track has gone so far? My senior year of track is going great, I'm jumping further than I ever have, and I feel more confident and mentally prepared than I ever have. What has been your favorite memory from this season so far? My favorite memory from this season was stopping at Hometown Buffet after the Crater Classic Invite, it was really fun to hang out with a few teammates.Who/what motivates you? Hm..motivation.. that's difficult to come by sometimes. I motivate myself for the most part, I love being able to improve and make myself better, but something that never fails to motivate me is seeing Mr. Culp get excited about my improving, it's a good feeling.What did you do for your Senior project? I was the project coordinator for the community service group Kids in Siskiyou Serving. It was a good experience and I enjoyed watching the reactions of the people we helped.What are your plans for after high school? Do you plan on doing sports in college? I am attending Brigham Young University in the fall, I'm really excited. I would love to do sports in college, but BYU is Division 1 and I don't have a chance of competing, but who knows? Anything can happen.Are there any other extracurricular activities you do? I am involved in the YMCA Teen Leadership Council as the vice president, I sing in the school's Vocal Ensemble, and I am really involved in my church.What is the most important thing you've learned in high school? I think that the most important thing I've learned is that people will always do what they want, whether I like it or not, all that I can do is make my own decisions and be my own person.